Readings for today: Psalms 28-30, Acts 21:1-16
What has the Lord done for you? Can you count His blessings? Can you see the miraculous ways in which He has provided? Can you measure the lavish riches of His grace? Yesterday, I ran across a quote from a brilliant theologian named J.I. Packer about knowing God. He writes, “We are cruel to ourselves if we try to live in this world without knowing about the God whose world it is and who runs it .The world becomes a strange, mad, painful place, and life in it a disappointing and unpleasant business, for those who do not know about God. Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfold, as it were , with no sense of direction, and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul.” I found myself thinking a lot about that quote as I read through the Psalms assigned for today. It is because the Psalmist knows God that he can call on God. It’s because the Psalmist has confidence in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness that he can cry out to God. It’s because the Psalmist truly trusts God that he can present his needs before Him. Perhaps most importantly, it’s because the Psalmist sees how much God has done for him that he lives his life with a deep sense of gratitude.
I cannot begin to tell you all the things God has done for me. He chose the place I was born and the family I was born into. He gave me intellectual and emotional and physical gifts that have carried me far in life. I was able to learn in good schools with teachers who cared deeply for me. I was able to grow up in relative safety and comfort. I had parents who loved me and instilled strong values in me. I have two brothers who are among my closest friends. Throughout my life, I’ve benefited from educational and professional opportunities. God brought a godly woman into my life who is my best friend. I have four children that I am embarrassingly proud of and love with all my heart. All of these are amazing blessings that come from the hands of God.
At the same time, I’ve seen my fair share of tragedy and hardship as well. Growing up wasn’t easy. My family faced financial hardships at times. My parents lost their business in the 1980’s and we almost ended up homeless as a result. I can remember days when all we had in our refrigerator was one cup of yogurt and there were five us to feed. I’ve had to overcome addictions in my life to alcohol and pornography. These behaviors cost me friendships and I grieve them to this day. My wife and I lost our first child as a result of major birth defects. Caleb would be 23 years old today. I suffered a professional failure in Wisconsin that almost put me out of ministry altogether. It also brought me face to face with the end of my faith. I’ve seen life-threatening poverty among those I love in developing countries around the world. I’ve tasted fear and anxiety and allowed my insecurities to cripple me at times. But through it all, there was one constant…God. He was always present and faithful to make Himself known to me as I remained committed to come before Him with my needs each and every day.
Perhaps that’s why these words from today ring so true for me…
“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
”You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!” (Psalm 30:11-12)
When we choose to focus on all the good things God has done, our hearts are filled with gratitude. An infectious joy fills our lives. A peace that passes all understanding descends upon us. Our mourning turns to dancing. Our weeping tarries only for a night, giving way to joy in the morning. Yes, we will suffer in this “strange, mad, painful place.” Yes, life will be “disappointing and unpleasant” at times. Yes, there will be moments when you will feel like you are “stumbling and blundering through life blindfolded, as it were , with no sense of direction, and no understanding of what surrounds you.” Things may get so bad you may feel like you are “wasting your life and losing your soul.” But even there God is with you. God is waiting for you. God is near you. God will make Himself known to you. Simply keep walking through the open door into His presence. Keep approaching His throne of grace with confidence. Keep trusting God is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to Him.
Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 31-33, Acts 21:17-36